Get a Move On: The Tried-and-True Trail Running Essentials
Trail running is a sports activity that is rapidly growing from year to year. Lots of studies that have been done show this growing trend. This certainly is good news especially in the world of today where obesity and other health problems are on the rise.
How Do I Start Trail Running in Australia?
The benefits from this activity are numerous, but in order to start doing it, you need to prepare yourself for it, mentally especially. The sedentary work of many has taken its toll, and a great number of us don’t have the energy to do anything after work. So, the simple desire to change something in your life is a good start. There are a lot of interesting and breathtaking places where you can run in Australia, but what’s more important is to make your journey more pleasurable to fail-proof it. This can be achieved only by finding the right outdoor running gear.
Essential Trail Running Gear
Given the fact that there are different types of trails that range in terrain and distance mainly, one must be prepared for everything that comes on the way. While headlamps and LED torches should be your true ally on each of your running journeys, you really shouldn’t forget about some other important and essential pieces of trail running gear.
The truth is that there isn’t such thing as less effective and needed gear as all of them can serve their purpose at some point. The idea is to stock the most needed ones and use them as you need and please.
Footwear
The first and most common thing people consider to buy before running is footwear. It can be said that paying more attention to your shoes is of vital importance since you cannot predict the trail you will go, or the weather. Rocks, dirt, sharp objects and slippery trail parts are common things that you will meet when running, so your shoes matter a lot.
Instead of putting on whatever you have at home, you should really do your research and invest in proper running shoes that will keep your feet comfortable all the time without feeling a thing. Aside from having a special sole, padding and support for improved comfort, these shoes also have gusseted tongues the purpose of which is to keep stones, dirt, and mud from entering your feet.
The chosen shoes should also be made from breathable material in order to prevent excessive sweating. You should also pay attention to the socks and choose wool or synthetic socks because they are breathable and moisture-wicking, not allowing the sweat and moisture to stay on your feet.
Clothing
When running, you should feel comfortable and good all the time, and this cannot be achieved if wearing too tight and not well-fitted clothes. For this purpose, you need proper sportswear in accordance to the season and weather conditions. That being said, you should stock up with trail running gear consisting of a t-shirt, hoodie, shorts and trousers if you are a man, and a t-shirt, hoodie, shorts and leggings if you are a woman.
You can also invest in a windbreaker and rain jacket when the weather is cold and rainy. Wearing a hat and gloves is also an option in winter in order to improve your warmth. Speaking of warmth, it is recommended to wear thermal long-sleeve tops and long-leg pants during the winter months when the weather is colder. This will provide you with additional warmth during the entire run and for this purpose you should avoid anything made of cotton. Instead, it’s great to choose thermal clothing made of synthetic and moisture-wicking materials.
Food
Eating food before and after a run is essential. Eating before running will provide your body with the needed energy to help you go through your running session while eating after the run is needed to help your muscles recover faster. On the other hand, staying hydrated all the time is also needed in order to prevent dehydration and to help your body recover faster after a workout. When it comes to drinking water before running, it’s better to drink more water 2-3 hours before running and drink the same amount of it after running. Taking a hydration pack or water bottle during your run is essential for taking smaller sips whenever needed. This will prevent exhaustion and loss of energy.
GPS Device
The last but not least thing you should take with you when running is a GPS device. Whether taking your phone, a watch or some special GPS tracker, having one with you is mandatory in order to help you navigate the trails. Nowadays, technology has made everything easy, and these devices can even help you measure the distance and speed at which you run, and even your pulse and respiration per minute.
